Friendly Wager for the National Championship

January 5, 2009

Friendly Wager for the National Championship
Oklahoma Sooners' Rep. Cole and Florida Gators' Rep. Putnam Talk Terms

WASHINGTON – There will be more at stake than pride and a national championship when the University of Oklahoma and the University of Florida meet in the BCS National Championship football game January 8, it’s a matter of chocolate and oranges. U.S. Congressmen Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) have a friendly wager riding on the outcome of the matchup involving their two alma maters.

Cole has bet Bedre Chocolates, made in the Fourth District by the Chickasaw Nation, against fresh Florida oranges from groves in Polk County, Fla. Polk County, which is in the heart of Putnam’s district, is the largest citrus producing county in Florida.

"The last time OU played a team in Florida for the National Championship it worked out pretty well for us," Cole said. "The Sooners are going to have another fresh-picked win and I'm going to have a basket of oranges to enjoy because of it."

“I’m looking forward to tasting those delicious chocolates as I savor the ‘Gators victory over the Sooners,” said Putnam. “It should be the perfect way to start 2009.”

###